Homes England has bought 23.5 acres of residential land in Crewe from Muse and The Witter Trust with the developer now looking to accelerate the delivery of offices and business space nearby.

The site forms part of the wider Basford East development, which covers around 170 acres. Muse and the Witter Trust secured planning permission for 325 houses, alongside 110,000 sq ft of office and business space, on the site in 2015.

Muse’s proposals for the wider site also include a 5,000 sq ft health centre, a 5,000 sq ft community centre, 25,000 sq ft of retail, and a 4,000 sq ft pub and restaurant.

The developer said the sale of the land would allow it to bring forward the commercial element of the scheme.

Homes England will provide infrastructure works and build the site’s housing, which will include a range of homes between two and five beds in size. The wider site also includes around 30 acres of public open space and landscaping.

Homes England’s purchase price has not been disclosed.

Duncan Inglis, head of accelerated delivery North West at Homes England said: “Buying this land will speed up the delivery of more than 300 much needed family homes and support Cheshire East’s growth plans ahead of HS2 coming to Crewe.

“Homes England will work with the council to bring forward the development and also create job opportunities in the construction sector.

“The plans for the local centre will help build a real community in this part of Crewe.”

Savills acted for Muse, while Owen Land & Property acted on behalf of The Witter Trust. The project’s masterplan was designed by Planit-IE with Gerald Eve as planner.